'Honey Badger,' 3 other former LSU players arrested

Oct. 25, 2012
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LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, pictured before the season, was arrested on pot charges Thursday. He already had been suspended by the team for substance abuse issues. / Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE US PRESSWIRE

by Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports

by Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports

Four former LSU football players, including 2011 Heisman Trophy finalist Tyrann Mathieu and former starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson, were arrested Thursday on drug-related offenses, according to police in Baton Rouge.

Mathieu, Jefferson and former defensive back Karnell Hatcher were arrested for alleged possession of marijuana. Former defensive back Derrick Bryant was booked for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, authorities said in a news release.The arrests were first reported by Baton Rouge TV station WAFB.

It's the latest misstep for Mathieu -- nicknamed the "Honey Badger" -- who was dismissed from the LSU football program in August after repeated violations of the school's substance abuse policy for athletes.

Mathieu, along with cornerback Tharold Simon and running back Spencer Ware, was suspended for a game against Auburn last October after testing positive for synthetic marijuana. Another failed drug test led LSU and head coach Les Miles to kick Mathieu off the team on Aug. 10.

"This is a very difficult day for our team," Miles said at the press conference announcing Mathieu's dismissal. "He was a quality, quality guy. He had behavior issues. The overview of his time with us is positive."

The 2011 All-America cornerback had since re-enrolled at the university in hopes of returning for the 2013 season.

As a senior, Jefferson quarterbacked the Tigers to the Southeastern Conference championship and a spot in the BCS national title game in New Orleans, where they lost to Alabama.

The arrests occurred Thursday afternoon after officers responded to a call from a Baton Rouge apartment complex about a man, later identified as Jefferson, who was attempting to push through a security gate, police said in the release.

Jefferson exchanged words with a maintenance worker before entering an apartment. When police arrived, Mathieu answered the door, the release said.

"Officers immediately smelled a strong odor of marijuana and obtained consent from Mathieu to search the apartment. Inside they found three other men, including the one who had allegedly tried to force his way through the gate. He was identified as Jordan Jefferson," police said.

The other two individuals were identified by police as Hatcher and Bryant.

A search of the apartment yielded a marijuana grinder, digital scale and 10 bags of high-grade marijuana.

Police said seven of the 10 bags were found inside a backpack that belonged to Bryant, the only one booked with intent to distribute.